Charms of the Southeast USA
Travel through the American Southeast to immerse yourself in its history, art, food and wildlife. You’ll unlock the past at Fort Sumter National Monument and Jekyll Island’s Wanderer Memory Trail and Mosaic Museum. Taste the flavors of Charleston at its City Market and dine with a celebrity food writer and TV host in Savannah. From a behind-the-scenes experience at Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learning about Gullah Geechee culture on Jekyll Island to the beauty of Georgia’s lighthouses and coastlines, this is the Southeast at its most charming.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- Savannah: Meet your host, a local food celebrity in the culinary hotspot of Savannah, Georgia. This Be My Guest experience at a restaurant will find you sampling some of the city’s finest flavors while the host shares their stories with you.
- Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island
- Jekyll Island: Visit the Mosaic Museum for an in-depth look into Black history on Jekyll Island through the lens of music. You’ll learn about Gullah ring shouts, a call and response dance passed down through the descendants of the enslaved people of the low country. Enjoy cake walk performances by the Black employees of the Jekyll Island Club. Lastly, explore ragtime and the Club era, and Maurice Ruddick and the Dolphin Club - where legendary performers such as BB King, Percy Sledge and Otis Redding entertained guests like you.
- Charleston: Discover America’s Lowcountry history at McLeod Plantation. Established in 1851, McLeod Plantation Historic Site is a 37-acre Gullah/Geechee heritage site preserved in recognition of its cultural and historical significance. You’ll learn about the cultivation of sea island cotton and follow the emergence of Gullah Culture in the Low Country. Get a feel for the past strolling the grounds including a riverside outdoor pavilion, a sweeping oak allée and the McLeod Oak which is thought to be more than 600 years old. Treasure this opportunity to learn about the people who shaped Charleston’s complex past and the nation’s future.
- Charleston: Charleston brings new sights, sounds and experiences around every turn. Join an experienced Local Specialist for a coach tour through historic Charleston. You’ll have the chance to smell fragrant jasmine, peer through wrought iron gates and see names from the past etched in stone as you stroll past historic sites. Unlock the best of the city from those who know it best. Your host invests back into the properties you tour, ensuring that Charleston’s most historically significant landmarks, structures, sites and stories endure for generations to come.
- Charleston: Explore local and national history at the grounds and visitor center of Fort Sumter National Monument. Take in the scenery cruising to the Fort on an island off the coast. Arriving at Fort Sumter National Historical Park, you will stand where America’s deadliest war began at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. You’ll learn about the events leading to the Civil War from knowledgeable National Park Rangers and explore well-preserved fort ruins.
- Savannah: Embark on an orientation tour with your Tour Director beginning at Forsyth Park, one of Savannah's most picturesque spots. You’ll admire the famous Forsyth Fountain and the greenery before driving down Jones Street, often referred to as one of the most beautiful streets in America, with historic homes, tree-lined sidewalks and a charming atmosphere. Explore the Savannah Historic District, passing landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Mercer-Williams House and the Owens-Thomas House. Finish along River Street, Savannah's bustling waterfront area.
- Tybee Island: Visit the must-see Tybee Island Lighthouse, the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. Unlock its history dating back to 1732, and you’ll learn how it’s one of the most intact, historic lighthouses remaining in America. The lighthouse has been rebuilt several times. It was first constructed with stone and wood, and in 1773, with bricks and wooden stairs. View the 1916 historic marker and climb 178 stairs to snap a photo overlooking Tybee Island.
- St. Simons Island: Discover the local secrets of St. Simons Island, the largest barrier island in Georgia’s Golden Isles. Stroll along the historic St. Simons Pier and watch the local fishermen and fisherwomen. Another must-see awaits at charming Pier Village where you can browse boutique shops, art galleries, and explore the local seafood restaurants.
- Jekyll Island: Unlock the history of Jekyll Island on the interpretive Wanderer Memory Trail. You’ll learn the history of the Wanderer, a slave ship that arrived on the Jekyll River 160 years ago. Through individual exhibits, you’ll hear the stories of the 500 enslaved Africans including Umwalla, a young African boy brought to America on the ship. You’ll also explore Driftwood Beach, a former maritime forest that has been eroded to sculpture-like piles of sun-bleached driftwood.
- Jekyll Island: Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience on your Landmarks Tram Tour of Jekyll Island. You’ll learn how the Island was the exclusive site of the renowned Jekyll Island Club - the winter retreat for some of America's wealthiest families including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Morgans. Unlock the elegance and opulence of the early 20th century at Indian Mount Cottage, the Rockefeller’s winter home, where you’ll step inside to see how the family, nannies and servants lived.
- Visit Georgia Sea Turtle Center
- Jekyll Island: Support local wildlife on your private behind-the-scenes tour of the rehabilitation center of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia's first sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility. You’ll see where injured and sick sea turtles are treated and learn how the Center’s research helps sea turtles in Georgia and around the world. You’ll love exploring the lives of sea turtles and other native animals knowing that your visit supports their rehabilitation. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
- Explore Charleston and Jekyll Island including Indian Mount Cottage with a Local Specialist
- Visit Charleston City Market, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Tybee Island Lighthouse, St. Simons Island, Wanderer Memory Trail and Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
- Scenic Charleston Harbor cruise to Fort Sumter National Monument
- Savannah: Known to locals as the "Grand Lady on the Bay", the building was once 19th-century mega-merchant Simon Guckenheimer's dry goods storage house, which was filled with everything the South made best, from tobacco to canned peaches. The 1940's and '50s brought a grocery store with the city's first true coffeehouse. Now, the Grand Lady stands as a charming boutique hotel with modern style in the vibrant Ellis Square that reflects the essence of Savannah's renowned Historic District.
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
- Culinary and Cooking
- History
- Theater, Movies, and Music
Your Bucket List Moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way. Here are just a few of the hundreds of must-sees that are waiting for you.
Must-Sees To Local Secrets
You’ll enjoy that extra special treatment when you skip the lines at must-see sights and uncover secrets with your Local Specialist.
Stays With Stories
In addition to the extensive trusted accommodation partners, on many tours, you will find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. From an Irish castle steeped in history to a South African safari lodge, or a traditional Japanese Ryokan – you can truly experience it all.
Be My Guest
Welcome to your home away from home. Step into the lives of your hosts who open their homes, wineries, farms and more to share stories about their families, history and their communities, over good food and great hospitality. With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you.
Everything Taken Care Of
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
Here’s a quick look at the travel essentials and experiences you'll enjoy.
- Travel Director and Driver team
- Nightly accommodation
- Stays with Stories experience*
- Daily breakfast**
- Many lunches and dinners
- Luxury coach transport***
- Entry to many must-see sights
- Be My Guest experience
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Locally guided tours in many destinations
*Stays with Stories are available to you on selected tours
**On select days on some of our tours, we leave days free to follow your nose to the local bakery or diner to suit your tastes, preferences and budget.
*** On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Your transport and Driver
You’ll travel from A to B in comfort and style, and without worrying about driving, parking, tolls and arguing over the satnav. Your luxury coach features reclining seats, panoramic windows to take in the views, WiFi, air-con, and on-board bathroom facilities, USB chargers and more* – kick back knowing your journey is as good as the destination.
Beyond your coach, you’ll really be able to take in the views on your journey. You could take a ferry through turquoise waters, past grottoes and along a unique coastline to the Isle of Capri, through New Zealand’s Milford Sound, or the Glacier Express Train ride along the Swiss Alps’ lakes and glaciers. You’ll capture incredible sights all from the comfort of your seat.
*On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Complement your tour with Optional Experiences
Unlock even more with a selection of Optional Experiences available throughout your tour. These have been carefully curated to add that ‘extra something’ to your included sightseeing and one-of-a-kind experiences, at just-for-you Trafalgar prices. Selected by our team of experts and organised by your Travel Director while you’re on your tour, you’ll enjoy knowing the research has already been done for you.
Group travel tours - 300 Trips. 70 Countries. 7 Continents.
Trafalgar tours are the ultimate way to experience the world with like-minded travelers. From the historic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, our group travel packages take care of every detail so you can relax and explore with complete ease. We take the worry out of travel, so from planning, to booking, to exploring the world with us, you can rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way.
Each of our group travel packages is perfectly planned so you can enjoy a blend of iconic and local experiences. Our group vacations are the classic Trafalgar experience that allows you to tour differently, with the world’s most loved and awarded travel brand.
Groups - For groups of 9 guests or more
Are you a group of 9 or more looking for the ultimate group trips package? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a trip organizer or just looking for a group trip to enjoy with friends and family, with us you can look forward to a rich travel experience that combines exceptional service, great value, and ultimate ease. Choose from over 240 of our existing, award-winning group vacations, or design a custom trip bespoke to your group’s passions and interests.
- I am a group trip organizer
If you are a trip organizer for a corporate, sporting or affinity group, or a Travel Agent, our group trips are perfect for your needs. You can either choose from one of our existing tours, or design a custom tour around your group’s travel interests, knowing that you will still get to enjoy the same remarkable Trafalgar inclusions and world class experience.
- I am traveling with family and friends
Whether you’re a small a group of family and friends looking to get away with ultimate ease, or a larger group celebrating a special occasion like a destination wedding or milestone birthday, we have just the perfect trip. Choose from one of our existing tours and enjoy travel with like-minded travelers.
Family Tours & Travel Packages
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have together. Our family tours let you rediscover the joy of travel with the whole family and make memories that last well after you arrive home. From meeting a real-life cowboy in Montana, or spotting monkeys in Costa Rica, to experiencing life as a gladiator in Rome, the world is your playground with our family vacations.
Custom tours - For groups of 10 guests or more
You dream it, then we’ll create it. Our custom tours option is the perfect choice for groups of 10 guests or more seeking a tailored experience, while still offering complete flexibility and control over your budget, personalized travel itinerary and inclusions. Our specialist team can design a custom group travel experience perfectly suited to your group’s specific needs and interests.
Solo Travel Tours & Singles Vacations
Thinking of taking a solo trip? We make solo travel a breeze. With 24/7 support and everything taken care of by our team, you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease. Our singles vacations attract people from all over the world who are looking to share real travel experiences with like-minded people, so you’ll make new friends along the way in solo travel groups.
Tours for seniors
Discover the world with tours for seniors designed with comfort, culture, and connection in mind. Travel with like-minded explorers at a pace that suits you, experiencing enriching journeys filled with history, local stories, and breathtaking landscapes—all without the stress of planning. You might be looking for European travel tours for seniors, or going even further afield. Wherever your next adventure awaits, you’ll always unlock the best of your destination with Trafalgar.
Your Bucket List Moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way. Here are just a few of the hundreds of must-sees that are waiting for you.
Must-Sees To Local Secrets
You’ll enjoy that extra special treatment when you skip the lines at must-see sights and uncover secrets with your Local Specialist.
Stays With Stories
In addition to the extensive trusted accommodation partners, on many tours, you will find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. From an Irish castle steeped in history to a South African safari lodge, or a traditional Japanese Ryokan – you can truly experience it all.
Be My Guest
Welcome to your home away from home. Step into the lives of your hosts who open their homes, wineries, farms and more to share stories about their families, history and their communities, over good food and great hospitality. With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you.
Everything Taken Care Of
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
Here’s a quick look at the travel essentials and experiences you'll enjoy.
- Travel Director and Driver team
- Nightly accommodation
- Stays with Stories experience*
- Daily breakfast**
- Many lunches and dinners
- Luxury coach transport***
- Entry to many must-see sights
- Be My Guest experience
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Locally guided tours in many destinations
*Stays with Stories are available to you on selected tours
**On select days on some of our tours, we leave days free to follow your nose to the local bakery or diner to suit your tastes, preferences and budget.
*** On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Your transport and Driver
You’ll travel from A to B in comfort and style, and without worrying about driving, parking, tolls and arguing over the satnav. Your luxury coach features reclining seats, panoramic windows to take in the views, WiFi, air-con, and on-board bathroom facilities, USB chargers and more* – kick back knowing your journey is as good as the destination.
Beyond your coach, you’ll really be able to take in the views on your journey. You could take a ferry through turquoise waters, past grottoes and along a unique coastline to the Isle of Capri, through New Zealand’s Milford Sound, or the Glacier Express Train ride along the Swiss Alps’ lakes and glaciers. You’ll capture incredible sights all from the comfort of your seat.
*On some tours in smaller destinations, on-board bathrooms and WiFi are not available on our coaches or mini coach fleets.
Complement your tour with Optional Experiences
Unlock even more with a selection of Optional Experiences available throughout your tour. These have been carefully curated to add that ‘extra something’ to your included sightseeing and one-of-a-kind experiences, at just-for-you Trafalgar prices. Selected by our team of experts and organised by your Travel Director while you’re on your tour, you’ll enjoy knowing the research has already been done for you.
Group travel tours - 300 Trips. 70 Countries. 7 Continents.
Trafalgar tours are the ultimate way to experience the world with like-minded travelers. From the historic canals of Venice to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, our group travel packages take care of every detail so you can relax and explore with complete ease. We take the worry out of travel, so from planning, to booking, to exploring the world with us, you can rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way.
Each of our group travel packages is perfectly planned so you can enjoy a blend of iconic and local experiences. Our group vacations are the classic Trafalgar experience that allows you to tour differently, with the world’s most loved and awarded travel brand.
Groups - For groups of 9 guests or more
Are you a group of 9 or more looking for the ultimate group trips package? Then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a trip organizer or just looking for a group trip to enjoy with friends and family, with us you can look forward to a rich travel experience that combines exceptional service, great value, and ultimate ease. Choose from over 240 of our existing, award-winning group vacations, or design a custom trip bespoke to your group’s passions and interests.
- I am a group trip organizer
If you are a trip organizer for a corporate, sporting or affinity group, or a Travel Agent, our group trips are perfect for your needs. You can either choose from one of our existing tours, or design a custom tour around your group’s travel interests, knowing that you will still get to enjoy the same remarkable Trafalgar inclusions and world class experience.
- I am traveling with family and friends
Whether you’re a small a group of family and friends looking to get away with ultimate ease, or a larger group celebrating a special occasion like a destination wedding or milestone birthday, we have just the perfect trip. Choose from one of our existing tours and enjoy travel with like-minded travelers.
Family Tours & Travel Packages
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have together. Our family tours let you rediscover the joy of travel with the whole family and make memories that last well after you arrive home. From meeting a real-life cowboy in Montana, or spotting monkeys in Costa Rica, to experiencing life as a gladiator in Rome, the world is your playground with our family vacations.
Custom tours - For groups of 10 guests or more
You dream it, then we’ll create it. Our custom tours option is the perfect choice for groups of 10 guests or more seeking a tailored experience, while still offering complete flexibility and control over your budget, personalized travel itinerary and inclusions. Our specialist team can design a custom group travel experience perfectly suited to your group’s specific needs and interests.
Solo Travel Tours & Singles Vacations
Thinking of taking a solo trip? We make solo travel a breeze. With 24/7 support and everything taken care of by our team, you'll relax knowing you can travel with ease. Our singles vacations attract people from all over the world who are looking to share real travel experiences with like-minded people, so you’ll make new friends along the way in solo travel groups.
Tours for seniors
Discover the world with tours for seniors designed with comfort, culture, and connection in mind. Travel with like-minded explorers at a pace that suits you, experiencing enriching journeys filled with history, local stories, and breathtaking landscapes—all without the stress of planning. You might be looking for European travel tours for seniors, or going even further afield. Wherever your next adventure awaits, you’ll always unlock the best of your destination with Trafalgar.
About Trafalgar
Get ready for a trip like no other. Since 1947, more than five million happy past guests have discovered our difference. You’ll see top destinations, iconic sites, and get treated to exclusive local experiences – all with our team taking care of all the details. You’ll also discover the ways WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, and how your journey leaves a positive impact. Do good, feel good, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Your bucket list moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way.
Make unforgettable memories
Connecting you to experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have is what we do best. On all our tours you’ll be invited to the homes and businesses of locals for an exclusive Be My Guest experience, as well as a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. And on many itineraries, you will be enjoying a Stays with Stories accommodation experience, in some of the world’s most interesting locations.
Travel with complete ease
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
About Trafalgar
Get ready for a trip like no other. Since 1947, more than five million happy past guests have discovered our difference. You’ll see top destinations, iconic sites, and get treated to exclusive local experiences – all with our team taking care of all the details. You’ll also discover the ways WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, and how your journey leaves a positive impact. Do good, feel good, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Your bucket list moments
You’ll tick off not-to-miss iconic sights, local culture and unmissable natural wonders – all handpicked, planned and vetted by our Travel Experts who carefully craft your tour behind the scenes. Unlock the best of every place you visit and learn secrets from our local friends along the way.
Make unforgettable memories
Connecting you to experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have is what we do best. On all our tours you’ll be invited to the homes and businesses of locals for an exclusive Be My Guest experience, as well as a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. And on many itineraries, you will be enjoying a Stays with Stories accommodation experience, in some of the world’s most interesting locations.
Travel with complete ease
With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start. And, when you’re on your tour, Your Travel Director and Driver team handle all your logistics, bookings, tickets, transport and more – so all you have to do is enjoy your vacation and the freedom of living in the moment.
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